Labor must come clean on their plans for industry-wide strikes

Bill Shorten and Labor have today refused to confirm just how damaging their industry-wide bargaining policy will be, hiding the secret deal they have struck with the union movement.

Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, said that Labor must come clean on their plans for industry-wide strikes.

“Industry-wide bargaining is a recipe for industrial conflict and chaos not seen since the 1970s, when industrial action was over 40 times higher than today,” Minister O’Dwyer said.

“Labor knows the impact that industry-wide bargaining will have on the economy, which is why they are refusing to reveal their policy.”

A report last week revealed that a return to the peak strike rates of the 1970s would reduce Australia’s Gross Domestic Product by $11.04 billion a year.

For example, it’s estimated the RBTU’s planned strike across the Sydney rail network in January 2018, which was blocked by the Fair Work Commission, would have cost $100 million per day.

“Industry-wide bargaining would cripple small business, shut down essential services like schools and hospitals, and see our farmers’ exports rotting on the wharfs.”

“Australians deserve to know the havoc that would be wreaked across the economy under Labor’s plans industry-wide bargaining,” Minister O’Dwyer concluded.

If Bill Shorten and the unions were serious about increasing prosperity for all Australians they would promote cooperation and collaboration in our workplaces, so that our economy can grow, boosting jobs and increasing wages.

By pitting Australian against Australian and unleashing industrial chaos, Labor’s plan for industry-wide strikes will end up hurting those they claim to represent the most.